§ 43. Mr. WATTasked the Secretary for Scotland whether the system of copying deeds into volumes by handwriting is still in force in the Register House, Edinburgh; whether the Government intends and, if so, when, to carry out the recommendation of the Royal Commission on the Civil Service, which reported in 1915, that these volumes should be typewritten by women, thereby releasing men for work of national importance; and whether men so released will be pensioned as recommended by the Royal Commission?
§ Mr. MUNROThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative so 1301 far as the General Register of Sasines is concerned. In the Register of Deeds and the Extractors' Office typewriting has already been in part introduced; and the question of extending it to the Register of Sasines is receiving consideration. It is complicated by the necessity of considering the interests of the engrossing clerks whom the new system would throw out of employment on the one hand and the cost of carrying out the recommendation of the Royal Commission on the other hand.
§ Mr. WATTWill the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that it is three years since the Report was issued?